The Governor glanced at Lin Xuan Qi and felt that he had seen his path to the capital city.

With his ideas, maybe he could manage the city well enough for him to be summoned to the capital city.

Ideas started to simmer inside his mind.

"Talented young masters like you should be contributing more to the Da Qian Dynasty.

"The kingdom needs you."

The Governor raised the teacup he had in his hand, proposed a toast to Lin Xuan Qi and said.

Lin Xuan Qi gave him an awkward smile back, and returned the toast.

After he downed the tea he had inside the teacup, Lin Xuan Qi shook his head and said, "I'm nothing but just a businessman.

"It's best to leave the governance to the professionals."

"Hmph. Professionals?" The Governor grumbled and put down his teacup with a thump.

"These professionals aren't pulling their weight.

"I need someone fresh with ideas and untainted by their influence...

"Someone...like you." The Governor said and pointed at Lin Xuan Qi with his finger.

"I'm flattered but I'm afraid I might disappoint you." Lin Xuan Qi stood up, bowed, and cupped his hands at the Governor.

He didn't expect this from the Governor, and he knew it was best to weasel his way out of it.

It wouldn't help him with anything other than making more enemies.

And there were already so many things on his plate which were yet to be done.

There were the spirit herbs, his marriage, getting the soap business back on track, and the research for the MSG.

It was just too many for him to be even more distracted.

The Governor's face pulled long and he lowered his finger.

"Fine, I shall figure out a way for you to do so." He said and gave out a long sigh.

Maybe the Dark Lord's way was the only way.

Kill all of them and let the next generation of compassionate elites take over.

He had thought that Lin Xuan Qi might be different than the others, but it was apparently not so.

And as a compromise, the Governor asked, "What do you think about the governance of Hong Feng City?

"What could be improved for the common folks?"

It was Lin Xuan Qi's turn to sigh when he heard the question from the Governor.

From where he came from, throughout its history, many forms of governance had been attempted.

Many mistakes were made and there were but a few forms of governance left surviving.

However, he didn't know how things would work where there were cultivators around.

How do you control someone with such enormous powers and longevity?

He didn't know the answer, and it was not his duty to know.

Lin Xuan Qi knew that his goal to become one of the cultivators was the safest bet for himself and his clan.

"I know of two possible ways..." He went on and talked about the surviving forms of governance that he knew.

It was mind blowing for the Governor to hear, and he wished that the Dark Lord was around with him.

Everyone having a chance to steer the way, and everyone sharing the spoils of labor was something he had never dreamed about before.

Inside these forms of governance, there are many things similar to what the Dark Lord had planned for.

But there were also many differences.

That's where he knew that what Lin Xuan Qi had said wouldn't work.

How would you ask those cultivators to give up their powers and be treated equally like a mortal?

Even someone as idealistic as he was knew that it would be impossible.

The Governor slumped in his seat and gave out a sigh.

The worst feeling one could have was the disappointment after all your hope was busted.

And the Governor was feeling it right now.

Lin Xuan Qi saw the Governor's disappointment and said, "It's late now, I think it's best I get home."

The Governor waved at him and said, "I will get what you asked for to be done. My men and I shall pay a visit when you dispense the charity porridge tomorrow."

Without any hesitation, Lin Xuan Qi bowed and quickly left the guest room.

"Phew. That was close." He patted his chest while he walked towards the gates of the Governor's residence.

It was lucky for him that the Governor didn't appoint him as an advisor or something similar.

And he had better get away before the Governor comes around to it.

...

Rice Merchant Association.

Men sat around with wine and an abundance of food, chattering among themselves.

In the chairman's seat was Magistrate Ho looking frustrated, with a wine cup in his hand.

A man with bruises on his face came in and their chatter stopped.

"How was it?" One of the rice merchants leaned forward and asked.

The man bowed with his head low and said, "We... We tried but they were too strong for us."

"Useless fools!" the rice merchant who had asked shouted and threw his wine cup at the man.

Clank.

The cup hit the man's head and dropped onto the ground, broken into pieces.

Magistrate Ho sat up straight and gestured for the man to leave.

The man quickly bowed to Magistrate Ho and scurried away.

"Magistrate Ho, I told you this wouldn't work."

"Yeah. He has the backing of the Sima Family."

"What do we do now?"

"It's on you if the Sima Family comes after us!"

The rice merchants weren't too pleased with how things were going.

They wanted to stop Lin Xuan Qi from dispensing the charity porridge and yet were afraid of any repercussions.

Magistrate Ho had enough of them and shouted, "What do you suggest then?

"I was the one to hold the Governor off for all of you, and I was the one to do something about that charity porridge.

"So, tell me, what do all of you suggest instead?"

All of the rice merchants went silent, and they glanced at each other.

It went on for a few moments until someone said, "You are taking a commission from all of us with every sale made.

"And if you aren't too pleased about it, I think it's time we nominate a new head for the Rice Merchant Association."

The other rice merchants nodded their heads and shouted the same.

"New head of the Rice Merchant Association!"

Magistrate Ho frowned and got anxious with what was happening.

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